I was able to get a copy of this game from retail in Germany. There are several cards that are marked as being Kickstarter cards. They have the Kickstarter logo on then.

Many of them have icons that aren't explained in the base rules or refer to game elements that seem to only exist in the expansions which aren't included in the retail game.

My question is this: Should all of these cards be excluded from use in the game if you only have the retail version?

The rules contain a note on the 1st page about where you can download the rules for those cards. The building and war promos usable in all situation, the patrons only if you have/use the connected expansion.